Here are 5 super yummy, super fast breakfasts that taste like dessert. Which I’m a big fan of. This article was originally written for and published on NYU Spoon. You can check it out here.
Breakfast Cookie for One
“Cookies for breakfast?” Yes! No, it’s not Cookie Crisp cereal; in fact, it’s much more delicious and has fiber, whole grains, and healthy fats that, unlike the sugary cereal, will actually keep you full until lunchtime. This is a base recipe that can be jazzed up with whatever fruits, nuts, jams and nut butters you have around your apartment. Use flavored oatmeal packets for an extra flavor kick (maple brown sugar flavor with almond butter and pecans makes for an excellent combination) but if you do, reduce or omit the additional sugar. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup rolled oat or one packet of flavored oatmeal
1 tablespoon nut butter or coconut oil.
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg whites
mix ins: chopped fresh or dried fruit, nuts, a teaspoon of jam
Directions:
1. Place oats in a small bowl. Add nut butter or coconut oil (coconut oil will need to be melted in the microwave), baking soda, brown sugar, and honey. Mix well.
2. Add egg whites to oat mixture.
3. Add mix-ins of your choice. Mix.
4. Gather into a ball of “cookie dough” and place on a small plate. Smush down the dough to make a flat cookie shape. Spritzing the plate with non stick spray (optional).
5. Microwave on high for 1-3 minutes until browned and fluffy. Allow to cool briefly and enjoy.
Banana Cream Pie
Bananas and Greek Yogurt are a match made in heaven. Topped with a warm crispy toaster waffle as the “pie crust,” digging your spoon through this twist on a classic parfait is like just like digging through a personal banana cream pie. Make it your own with your favorite flavor of Greek yogurt (recommended: vanilla or coconut).
Ingredients:
1 6oz vanilla, plain, or coconut Greek Yogurt
1 banana
1 toaster waffle
1 tablespoon almond butter
1 teaspoon honey
optional: coconut shreds
Directions:
1. Place toaster waffle in the toaster.
2. Remove lid from yogurt. Slice bananas and half of it add to yogurt. Mix.
3. Add coconut shreds or nuts if desired
4. Spread almond or peanut butter on waffle and top with remainder of sliced banana, honey, and coconut shreds (if desired).
5. Place toaster waffle on top of yogurt cup.
6. Eat by spooning through the waffle “crust,” and dolloping with the “pie filling” below. Yum!
Chocolate Breakfast Pudding
Pudding is delicious. Unfortunately, dessert pudding is often high in fat, and store-bought pudding is often full of sugar and preservatives. So, when you wake up craving something smooth chocolatey, make this recipe instead. The Greek yogurt is rich in protein, calcium, and B vitamins. The cocoa powder helps thicken the already rich-tasting Greek yogurt, creating a consistency somewhere between pudding and frosting. A surprisingly small amount of sweetener is all that’s needed to make this taste like a treat. Goes great with fresh berries or bananas.
Ingredients:
1 6oz plain Greek Yogurt
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1-2 teaspoons of sugar or honey
raspberries or strawberries to top (optional)
Directions:
1. Add cocoa powder to Greek Yogurt and mix thoroughly until the powder is well dispersed in the yogurt and yogurt is free of clumps.
2. Add sweetener and mix again.
3. Top with fresh fruit. Enjoy!
Apple Crisp for One
With the weather getting colder, sometimes there’s nothing more comforting than a warm breakfast. This recipe is an easier but just as delicious play on apple crisp, and takes only a few minutes to prepare. It’s also healthy enough to enjoy every day, and can work as a great study snack or dessert.
Ingredients:
1 apple
1 packet of flavored oatmeal (recommended: apple cinnamon or cinnamon spice)
a dash of cinnamon
1 tablespoon honey, and/or brown sugar to top (optional)
Directions:
1. Chop apple into small pieces. Place in a microwave safe bowl. Sprinkle with cinnamon and mix.
2. Empty flavored oatmeal packet directly over the chopped apples. Drizzle one tablespoon of water over the top of the oatmeal. Do not add any more water (the moisture of the apples will be plenty).
3. Microwave on high for 3-5 minutes, until apples are tender and oats on top appear crispy.
4. Allow to cool briefly, then top with honey or brown sugar and enjoy.
Waffles’n’Dinges Spinoff
Sure, everyone at NYU knows exactly when and where the Waffles’n’Dinges truck parks on campus (Mondays, right in front of Stern), but let’s face it: the Wafles truck, while delicious, is a bit pricey and perhaps not the most nutritious breakfast option before a long day of studying. Fuel up with this healthier version (which even includes a healthy homemade version of the famous Speculoos cookie spread!) and be able to walk by those wafting waffle scents on Washington Square South without a second thought.
Ingredients:
1 toaster waffle
For the “Speculoos”:
1 graham cracker
1 tablespoon almond or sunflower butter
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon honey or agave
1 tablespoon greek yogurt
“Dinges” of your choice (ie: sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, whipped cream)
Directions:
1. Place waffle in toaster.
2. Assemble the speculoos. Start by crushing the graham cracker. This can be done by breaking it into small pieces, placing it in a plastic bag, then smashing it with a large spoon until into small crumbs. A food processor can also be used for this. Place in a small bowl.
3. Add almond or sunflower butter, greek yogurt, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice to the bowl. Mix until well combined into a paste. If the spread is to thick or crumbly, add a bit more greek yogurt and/or honey until paste reaches desired consistency (look for a peanut-butter like spread consistency).
4. Top waffle with “Speculoos” and add your “Dinges” on top of that.
5. Dollop with whipped cream on a test day.
